The #AmericaIsKind Challenge: Day 18

The purpose of the #AmericaIsKind Challenge is simple: To remind us all that America is GREAT when Americans are KIND.

Take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge today!

Here’s How:

–On social media SHARE an ACT OF KINDNESS someone has done for you, or that you have done for someone, with #AmericaIsKind

–TAG 3-5 friends to take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge

–PAY IT FORWARD by doing a random act of kindness for a stranger

–Take the full 30-day #AmericaIsKind Challenge, with daily gratitudes, acts of goods, and our highlighted charities HERE. You can jump in or out any day…whenever you find the challenge is the perfect time to begin.

Today is Day 18 of the 30-Day #AmericaIsKind Challenge:

Our theme today is HUGS, and our Charity of the Day is: Embracing the World

“Embracing the World^® is a global network of local and regional charitable organizations and projects which exists to help alleviate the burden of the world’s poor through helping to meet each of their five basic needs — food, shelter, education, healthcare and livelihood — wherever and whenever possible.”

Gratitude: “I am grateful for hugs.”

If you need a scientific reason to be grateful for hugs: hugs can keep you healthy, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce stress. Virginia Satir, family therapist, says: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

Good: Hug your spouse, partner or loved one for at least ten seconds

Good: Send a virtual hug to friends who are too far away to actually hug

Good: Share a virtual hug on social media

Good: Check out the Free Hugs Campaign–and if you’re a serious hugger, join the movement

Good: Make it your personal mission to give eight hugs today. (I recommend asking first, as to avoid any social awkwardness!)

Good: Consider donating to our Charity of the Day Embracing the World . Started by Amma, known as the “hugging saint”, she has embraced and offered comfort to over 36 million people worldwide. If this woman can hug people for 22 hours straight, we can each give at least one extra hug today!

Need more kindness & gratitude ideas? We have them.Find the other days of The #AmericaIsKind Challenge HERE.

During the year I explored 30 religions, I found KINDNESS and GRATITUDE present in every faith. In spite of our many differences, these qualities unite us.

Later, through a yearlong battle with clinical depression, I discovered that practicing KINDNESS and GRATITUDE are two of the scientifically-proven ways to defeat depression and increase happiness.

Coincidence? I don’t think so!

I came up with the #AmericaIsKind Challenge as a way to inspire the practice of kindness and gratitude, unite Americans with the things we have in common, help others who may be struggling with depression, and to remind us all America is kind because Americans are kind.